Category: travels and adventures

Crafter on the move

The #1 mistake made when on the go crafting whether it is for a crop or just something to occupy your hands at a retreat is to over pack. Critical error! The problem is two-fold: First that it clutters up and weighs you down. Second is that you’ll never actually use the TONS, so think ahead and go a bit lighter.

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I am LOVING the Secret Garden Postcards (amazon affiliate link). Small, compact, and more manageable. Also just one-sided and I like the thicker paper much better than the original book version. What else is in my bag of tricks? Well I’ve got a few pens for coloring, and I’ve also packed up two SMALL embroidery hoops for working on during airport time since my trip is like 90% travel, 10% business meeting.

I’ll be checking in with (hopefully good) results next week – for today enjoy taking a little craftiness out into the world with you today.

May in NYC: Day 2

After spending a solid twelve hours inside my hotel room re-charging, I was ready to get back out into the great city! Here’s a link to part 1 if you missed my first day of adventuring.

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This city was made for the solo visitor. Don’t get me wrong a group is great – but every place I went I did not feel odd or at all out of place. I was a bit… bright and sparkly and more on the Buddy the Elf meets Gisele from Enchanted side though. I seriously just LOVE exploring a place, and a place with so much history, art, texture, color, and detail? My brain was exploding with inspiration and ideas!

My #1 favorite thing (and it is absolutely free!) is to get up and go walking around Central Park early in the morning. Before the stroller brigade. Before the tourists and horses. Before the hoards. Most importantly: before the heat of the day strikes you down! Afterwards I wanted to seek out a coffee shop or café but instead went for my go-to, my #1 favorite thing to start a day with.

Levain Bakery Valrhona Chocolate Roll

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Something tells me you can’t go wrong in the tiny bakery, but I’m not budging from my pick. This crusty roll has rich melted chocolate goodness inside. You can try to put some chocolate and bread under a broiler at home to get the general idea… but nothing matches this. It is the stuff of dreams and I knew getting one on this trip was non-negotiable!

Thinking logistics especially when traveling solo is super important. In my case I had to carry around my nice shoes (for lunch) and some “touch myself up” supplies as I wandered around the city this quickly heating up day. I also had to get my suitcases all packed up in the way I wanted them for my business meetings the next day as I wouldn’t be getting to my hotel in New Jersey until after 10pm. A little planning can go a LONG way, is what I’m trying to say!

Vintage trims and creative inspiration: Tinsel Trading Company

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Continue reading “May in NYC: Day 2”

May in NYC: Day 1

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Last week I had a work trip to New Jersey (more on that another day…) and I did that thing I do when heading somewhere: is there anything interesting nearby/can I pull off an extra day to make it happen? As it so happened, the timing worked out and within an hour of landing in Newark, NJ a day ahead I was pulling into Penn Station in the middle of Manhattan. I highly recommend taking the train from Newark into NYC – it’s $12.50 and it is pretty much a non-stop ride in.

Alone? All alone in the big city? You bet. Fun fact – I played a game with myself and any time I thought of it I would look up and around and try to find a cop. EVERY time, under a minute, I could find a uniformed officer. In other words – hanging out in midtown Manhattan might be one of the safest areas I’ve ever traveled to alone! Today I will share with you my thoughts on traveling solo (and why it is AWESOME), as well as my favorites/highlights from the trip. I never really felt lonely or the need to speak to people. Quite honestly being able to NOT talk to anyone while being in this huge bustling city was quite fun.

Craft Supplies: The Ink Pad NYC

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Exploring by myself means I get to pick and do anything I want, and always on my own schedule. I don’t have to consider anyone else. If I want to take a taxi to get ice cream then walk to a fantastic craft supply store and take 2 hours lingering? I can. Speaking of cabs – I used Uber twice and was very impressed with the drivers and ease of service. It really was more that it helped set my mind at ease that I would not get stuck somewhere or have to walk miles. I also was able to hail a cab which delighted me to NO end. I really do love this city…

Continue reading “May in NYC: Day 1”

Adventures of Scrappy & Ranger…

A cattle dog should have a bandana, don’t you think?

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I used this Tim Holtz fabric to craft Ranger a bandana – and I even cut a slit/stitched it so that his leash can go right in and his fashionable look go on walks with us.

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As you can see, he looks beautiful in my studio! As my husband told him – “hey buddy if you sit still in her studio long enough she’s gonna decorate you!”

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Above you can see where he’s most often found – near the studio door. He’s a wanderer (and still pretty new here) so I tend to keep the baby turned doggie gate up when I’m working. In addition to his new bandana he had a check-up at our vet and is totally healthy- something I had assumed but it was great to hear it confirmed.

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So we walk on. Entering week #2 being a 2-dog family and celebrating with some long ago planned camping… hope you’re having a great weekend as well!